News Release

Monday, May 5, 2008

Man Shot and Killed while Driving

Los Angeles: Authorities said a 31-year-old man was fatally shot early Saturday morning driving his car in the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles.

Just before 2:30 a.m., a traffic unit was called out to investigate a traffic collision at Venice Boulevard and Magnolia Street. When officers arrived at the scene, they saw a mangled car smashed into a pole. Paramedics pulled the victim from his vehicle and rushed him to California Hospital where he died. At the hospital, police learned that the victim had been shot multiple times in the chest.

A preliminary investigation determined the victim, the only occupant of the targeted car, was driving a burgundy Camero west on Venice Boulevard when a gunman opened fire on him. The victim lost consciousness and crashed into a pole. An unidentified witness told police he or she heard four to five gunshots go off.

No one else was hurt.

Detectives are unclear if the victim and the gunman had been in an earlier confrontation.

There has been no arrest.

The victim’s identity is being withheld until a family member has been notified.

Detectives have no suspect description and few leads. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is urged to call Rampart Homicide Detectives John Motto or Michael Arteaga, at 213-207-2060. On weekends or after hours, contact the toll free 24-hour number at the Detective Information desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).